Ramona brush fires investigated

The blazes started within a half mile of each other in Ramona
about 4:45 p.m., California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection officials said. One fire was on Swan Road and the other
on the Old Julian Highway.

"They started almost simultaneously," CDF Capt. Robert
McLaughlin said later. "Both are suspicious and under
investigation."

Another suspicious brush fire about a month ago on Swan Road is
also under investigation, McLaughlin said.

Each of Sunday's blazes burned about an acre, firefighters said.
No one was hurt as two tankers, two helicopters and about 70
firefighters attacked the flames.

A traffic warning was issued for the burn areas and the
California Highway Patrol shut down Cinnamon Road at Old Julian
Highway at the request of fire officials.

Initially, someone thought a small plane might have crashed inthe area, authorities said. However, the Federal Aviation
Administration told the highway patrol that there weren't anyreports of downed aircraft.